How grateful should I have been for any thing which would have relieved me from its oppressive weight--a buzz, a scraping of the shoes, or a fit of coughing, would have put me under infinite obligations to the kind disturber. What I said I know not; I knew not then; it is the only part of the transaction of which I am ignorant; it was “a phantasma, or hideous dream.” They told me, however, to my great surprise, that I spoke in a loud voice; used violent gesture, and as I went along seemed to shake off my trepidation. Whether I made a long speech or a short one I cannot tell; for I had no power of measuring time. All I know is, that I should have made a much longer one, had I not felt my ideas, like Bob Acre’s courage, oozing out of my fingers’ ends. The court decided against us, erroneously as I of course thought, for the young advocate is always on the right side. The next morning I got up early to look at the newspapers, which I expected to see full of our case. In an obscure corner, and in a small type, I found a few words given as the speeches of my leaders: and I also read that “Mr. ---- followed on the same side.” LEGAL GLEE. It is affirmed of sir William Blackstone, that so often as he sat down to the composition of his Commentaries on the Laws of England, he always ordered a bottle of wine wherewith to moisten the dryness of his studies; and in proof that other professional men sometimes solace their cares by otherwise disporting themselves, there is a kind of catch, the words of which, having reference to their art or mystery, do so marvellously inspire them, that they chant it with more glee than gravity, to a right merry tune:-- A woman having settlement, Married a man with none; The question was, he being dead If that she _had_ was gone? Quoth sir John Pratt, her settlement _Suspended_ did remain, Living the husband--but, him dead, It doth _revive again_. CHORUS OF PUISNE JUDGES. Living the husband--but, him dead, It doth revive again. * * * * * FLORAL DIRECTORY. Peziza. _Peziza acetabulum._ ~January 24.~ _St. Timothy_, disciple of St. Paul. _St. Babylas_, A. D. 250. _St. Suranus_, 7th century. _St. Macedonius._ _St. Cadoc_, of Wales. CHRONOLOGY. 1721. On the 24th of January in this year, the two houses of parliament ordered several of the directors of the South Sea company into the custody of the usher of the black rod and serjeant at arms: this was in consequence of a parliamentary inquiry into the company’s affairs, which had been so managed as to involve persons of all ranks throughout the kingdom in a scene of distress unparalleled by any similar circumstance in English annals. SOUTH SEA BUBBLE.